Three national universities—Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University—have been selected as key institutions for the South Korean government's 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' initiative. These universities will receive substantial funding of 70 billion won each this year and approximately 80 billion won annually starting next year, over the next five years, to play a pivotal role in nurturing talent linked to regional strategic industries.
Significant Funding Support
On September 1, the Education Ministry held a briefing at the Government Seoul Building, announcing the selection of the three universities for the 2026 'Creating 10 Seoul National Universities' package support. The initiative aims to develop national universities as hubs for regional growth and platforms for collaboration between academia and industry.
The selected universities will receive exceptional benefits. The package includes support for a brand college and convergence research institute in the five strategic industries and artificial intelligence (AI) sector, with generous funding from undergraduate to graduate levels.
Specifically, the package budget amounts to 600 billion won, which includes 400 billion won for the brand college and convergence research institute in the growth engine sector, 100 billion won for fostering AI specialists at the AI hub university, and an additional 100 billion won for shared university support with regional institutions. When combined with the basic funding of 100 billion won allocated to all national universities, each university will receive about 700 billion won this year.
Lee Joo-hee, an official from the Education Ministry, stated during the briefing, "Next year, with the addition of the advanced shared university project, the selected universities are expected to receive around 800 billion won each, marking an increase of about 100 billion won compared to the previous year."
Why These Three Universities?
The working committee, composed of the Education Ministry and nine other government agencies, evaluated whether each university presented specific and feasible innovation plans linked to regional industries.
Pusan National University outlined a vision to lead the AI transformation in the manufacturing and marine industries, which are strengths of the southeastern region. The university plans to establish an innovative manufacturing convergence college and create contract programs with companies like LG Electronics and Hanwha, aiming to develop a top 100 global college. Its proposal for the largest AI university in the country also received high marks.
Chonnam National University proposed the establishment of an advanced convergence college specializing in the semiconductor and future energy sectors in the southwestern region. The plan to expand the Amkor semiconductor packaging joint research model with companies like Samsung and Korea Electric Power Corporation, along with a well-structured strategy for the newly established Gwangju-Jeonnam Special City, was effective in securing its selection.
Chungnam National University presented an ambitious vision to create the NEXUS College of Science and Technology, collaborating with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and government-funded research institutions in the Daedeok Special Zone. The university's plan to establish a joint AI research institute with Naver Cloud, linked to the central region's mega-projects, was praised for its feasibility and potential impact.
Education Minister's Commitment to Regional Growth
Given the scale of investment, the Education Ministry will implement rigorous performance management. A separate performance management committee will evaluate the establishment of organizations in the first year, program operation outcomes in the second and third years, and ultimately assess graduate employment rates and regional residency rates to determine financial support adjustments. Additionally, the ministry plans to discuss potential additional funding for other national universities based on the progress and readiness of future mega-projects.
Education Minister Cho Kyoo-jin emphasized, "Without addressing the crisis of concentration in the metropolitan area and regional extinction, sustainable development and future competitiveness cannot be guaranteed. The three selected universities must quickly demonstrate a successful model where local talent can receive top-tier education and grow without leaving their regions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.